Residence Permit of Norway

The Scandinavian Kingdom is a member of NATO, the EEA, and the Nordic Passport Union of countries. It attracts residents with a stable economy, decent salaries, the rule of law, and democratic principles. Cosmopolitans, for various reasons, receive biometric cards of temporary residents for up to a year and renew them twice. After 3-5 years, according to the law «On Citizenship», they apply for permanent residence.

The status gives the right to travel freely in the Eurozone, receive social and medical assistance, and receive European education. Residents with knowledge of the language, integrated into the society, have the right to apply for high positions and incomes. After 8 years of naturalization, the authorities issue passports. Holders of guest/ family visas can enter the country if they are issued after June 2022.

Types of residence permit

Moving to Norway is possible on the basis of family reunification, marriage, study, employment, starting a business, as well as on a digital nomad visa. Each method involves fulfilling visa requirements, collecting folders with papers according to legally approved lists. General requirements for applicants:

• a deposit of 26,200 €; 
• a work contract with the same salary or an estimated annual profit from commercial activities or passive assets; 
• no criminal record or serving a sentence of no more than a year;
• availability of medical insurance;
• reasonable reasons for moving.

Residence permit for the purchase of real estate

Investments in apartments do not give the right to obtain a «golden» visa and residence in the Kingdom of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Upon purchase of the objects, the consulate issues only multivisa. Holders can visit the Schengen states, with the exception of Great Britain and Ireland, but stay in the territory for only 90 days per half year.

Student residence permits

Full-time students of universities/ colleges accredited by the Ministry of Education to work with foreigners can obtain the legal right to reside in the country. Parents and family members move with them on a family reunification visa. Students are legally allowed to work up to 20 hours a week. After graduation, the authorities issue graduates with residence cards for a year to find a job.

Necessary justifications

The migration authorities require applicants to:

• confirmation of admission to the university with an indication of the terms of study; 
• curricula with the number of hours;
• proof of solvency (13,000 € per year).

List of documents

The package of documents for the UDI Department includes:

• a rental agreement or a report on the settlement in a student dormitory; 
• an account statement or a letter of sponsorship; 
• medical insurance for the period of study.

In 2023, the authorities introduced fees for students from third countries, the EU and Switzerland. Now the training is available only on a commercial basis.

Residence permit for financially independent people

Temporary residence as a FNL is a common way to legalize wealthy relocators: freelancers, digital nomads, pensioners with income from commercial activities, leases, and assets. The criteria for obtaining the status are clearly spelled out only for digital nomads.

Necessary justifications

Removers are required to have:

• savings accounts;
• contracts with foreign companies;
• annual income from 35,000 €;
• education and professional experience.

List of documents

To open a long-term visa for 2 years, you will need:

• bank certificate; 
• confirmation of the movement of funds in the account for 3 months; 
• certificate from the place of residence; 
• registration in the status of self-employed;
• proof of non-criminal record.

Important! 

The papers must be translated into Norwegian/ English, notarized and apostilled.

Residence permit by marriage

Registering a relationship is one of the win-win options for legalization. Brides and grooms planning to get married in the kingdom are given semi-annual residences. After registration, foreigners apply to the local police department and apply for long-term permits.

Necessary justifications

Folders are accepted when the conditions are met:

• confirmation of the absence of official relations with other persons; 
• availability of an online engagement registration certificate valid for 6 months without extension;
• cohabitation for 2 years without registration with the provision of evidence.

List of documents

Foreign applicants will need:

• documents on marital status; 
• copies of cards/ passports of spouses;
• financial statements; 
• certificates from work with the amount of salaries; 
• health certificates;
• medical insurance policies.

Children born even to one Norwegian parent acquire citizenship by default. If the father died before giving birth, the child still receives a passport.

Family reunion

Residents of the kingdom can transport elderly parents, official or civil partners with whom they have been in a relationship for at least 2 years. Relatives and unofficial spouses legally have the right to apply for the status for a year with an option to extend to 3, then for permanent residence.

Necessary justifications

Family visas are issued in the country of residence and on the territory of the kingdom:

• foreigners whose one parent was a citizen; 
• parents aged 60+; 
• couples planning to register; 
• unmarried people aged 18-21 who previously lived in Norway; 
• children of different ages who were left alone after the family moved.

List of documents

Official papers are needed for registration of the status:

• passports of the guests and the host party; 
• copies of the invitation and the card;
• financial guarantee of the applicant; 
• confirmation of sources of income; 
• address certificate of the resident; 
• personal questionnaires of relatives;
• medical policies.

Work permit

Persons with relevant qualifications are allowed to apply for vacancies at the invitation of employers. First of all, employers coordinate candidates in the Department of Labor and Social Security, and if there are quotas, expats are invited.

Necessary justifications

Adult applicants can get a job. To get vacancies, you need:

• invitations from employers; 
• concluded contracts;
• professional competencies; 
• relevant experience.

List of documents

The contents of the dossier depend on the professional category of the applicant. University graduates need:

• nostrified diplomas; 
• permission from the body regulating industry activities; 
• certificates of awarding a scientific degree (on request); 
• recommendations from the last place of work; 
• financial balances;
• certificates of health.

Seasonal workers are given residence permits for six months, unskilled employees – for 2 years. Certified specialists are issued depending on the terms in the contract, but not for more than 5 years.

Business residence permit + sole proprietor

Foreigners are allowed to open businesses on condition of a planned income of 26,600 € without fiscal interest. The self-employed can register enterprises of various forms of ownership, with the exception of limited liability companies.

Necessary justifications

Spouses and dependents can be legalized together with the self-employed. Conditions:

• registered business with a legal address in Norway; 
• identification D-number;
• availability of financial resources for entrepreneurial activity; 
• contracts for the execution of orders or the provision of services.

List of documents

To obtain the status, you must present:

• diploma of education;
• confirmation of business management experience;
• certificate of sole ownership of the company; 
• license for a certain type of activity; 
• document on the possibility of obtaining a net profit in the prescribed amount.

The self-employed with an operating business abroad receive Norwegian status as independent contractors.

They sign contracts with local companies, where they indicate the amount of remuneration. The annual income of applicants with master's degrees should reach 42,400 €, bachelors – 39,450 €.

Extension of a residence permit

Applications for primary temporary residence are considered for 4-5 months. The extension period depends on the district and is 2-8 weeks. Applicants are allowed to renew the card on the website of the Department of Norway (UDI) 40 days before the end. The sequence of actions:

• submitting an application and a dossier in electronic form; 
• making an appointment for an interview;
• visiting a local police station with original documents; 
• paying the registration fee; 
• obtaining a new residence.

In addition to the basic certificates, applicants additionally attach collection receipts and copies of valid permits to the folder. The amount of fees for issuing a primary card for adults is different. For the self-employed, entrepreneurs/ businessmen are 550-600 €, family reunions – 990 €, studies – 480 €. Children get a residence permit for free. Upon renewal, a service fee of 5 € is charged.